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India Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
How Jason Mamoa's Chief of War is stepping-stone towards indigenous storytelling
Actor Jason Mamoa's portrayal of the Hawaiian warrior Ka'iana in 'Chief of War' is receiving praise for his grounded performance. The 18th century historical drama streaming on Apple TV + has introduced a unique storytelling approach as the entire show is shot in the Maori language. Apart from director James Cameron's 'Avatar' film series, 'Chief of War' has once again shown the potential of cinema beyond language or ethnic show featuring Mamoa in the lead role not just captures the medieval time period through breathtaking visuals and powerful background music, but also has an authentic and fresh narrative. The story, based on the legendary native Hawaiian warrior and his 1795 conquest of Oahu, remains true to the customs, costumes, rituals and beliefs of the Maori disruption through native stories 'Chief of War' is a testament to how far cinema has reached and the way audience content consumption patterns are disrupting filmmaking style as well as theatrical and OTT releases. Contrary to larger-than-life action and horror-comedies in theatres or mostly crime, horror and espionage shows in the OTT space, the Hawaiian-themed series brings creative really makes 'Chief of War' distinctive? From Hans Zimmer's background score to the realistic costumes, set design and dialect staying true to Hawaiian culture, the show keeps the viewers immersed in the music score in sequences of prayers, invoking holy spirits, and battle scenes, are the perfect representation of the indigenous lifestyle. Zimmer's musical genius is well-crafted in the introduction shot of Mamoa's Ka'iana, bringing a blend of mystery as well as fear of epic how can a show cater to universal audiences interested in stories about emotional and cultural conflict? In the fast-growing digital age and the advancements in VFX, and AI technology, audiences are more interested in diverse narratives. If a show about an 18th-century Hawaiian warrior can keep the viewers in India and the US equally invested in the story, then the vision has been it OTT or theatrical releases, viewership preferences are defined by engagement quotient, irrespective of cultural or geographic the depiction of the 18th-century Hawaiian Islands indicate a new cinematic wave? Will the global audiences be appreciative of stories about indigenous, regional cultures? Can filming an entire series in a native language be a new trend in storytelling? Can this be a new opportunity that could be explored by Indian filmmakers, attempting stories in regional languages like Odia, Asaamese, Bhojpuri, Manipuri and others?Here's a glimpse into the new possibilities for films and shows with universal themes based on indigenous, local cultures and it's a progressive stance to encourage cinema that promotes diversity, how can we address the cinematic vacuum with respect to diversity? The soul of any culture is the respect given to the dialect and customs. To risk an entire mainstream show by using an indigenous language is a remarkable move that goes beyond the cultural has hardly been a show or film, be it theatrical of OTT, which dared to narrate the story in the native language. 'Avatar' film series being an exception, cinema hasn't made any remarkable attempts as far as native representation is epics as cinematic spectacleIn the Indian film industry, are we taking any cues about representation? It may not be an overnight cinematic revolution, but it seems Indian storytellers are already on the right track. Zimmer, who has composed the BGM for 'Chief of War' has also partnered with music director AR Rahman to compose music for 'Ramayana'.The Nitesh Tiwari directorial featuring actors Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi in lead roles will be songless. However, the epic-drama will have Bhajans (Devotional songs from 'Ramayana' and other epic texts) as well as Shlokas (Spiritual and philosophical verses derived from ancient Sanskrit texts). The unique aspect in both these projects is the conviction of the filmmakers to break away from the mainstream storytelling format and tell stories as they are indigenous, epic stories only limited to 'Ramayana', 'Mahabharata' or stories about invasions and colonialism? Is there more to our legends and folklore beyond wars and conflicts? Indian history, literature and ancient philosophy are a treasure trove of epics which are no less than a cinematic stories of Satyayuga, Vedas and Upanishads are interpretations of faith, duality, monotheism, atheism and various schools of human consciousness. Creating these stories for the silver-screen is far easier at times when films with complex themes like 'Avatar' and 'Oppenheimer' are well-received diversity in storytellingThere are many indigenous, native cultures which are losing their identity due to the lack of mainstream attention or preference given to their languages. A recent discussion with regard to Indian cinema has been about Bhojpuri film industry going downhill in terms of quality content. What could be the reason behind it?One of the primary arguments is the lack of educated audiences for these films. Can Bhojpuri cinema, often accused of objectification and double-meaningful dialogues and songs, be devoid of these tropes? With the rise of streaming services, hinterland culture, helmed by sensible filmmakers, can introduce content-driven, grounded stories. Every language can have a mainstream audience, if backed by a supportive studio, talented technicians and visionary regional languages, like Odia, Assamese, Manipuri and Nepali, their history, folklore, traditions and socio-economic struggles can be made into mini-series as well as feature films. In the ancient, medieval or modern time periods, ethnicity, faith, culture or nationality need not be hindrances to innovation and themes about aliens, Dinosuars, the multiverse and metaverse are far more complex to understand in foreign or indigenous languages. With the changing landscape post-pandemic, society is more inclined towards human stories and is inquisitive about finding out about other how does it make a difference when narrating stories in the native language for the silver-screen? The new-age storytelling and content preferences of audiences are all about human connection and relatable stories. Unlike other genres and themes that could perish easily, indigenous cultures rooted in tradition and society mostly connect with audiences. Superhero spin-offs, sequels and reboots may not always pay-off, but real-life stories celebrating diversity always have a dedicated audience only the execution of future films and shows can guarantee such cinema is in the right direction. Yet 'Chief of War', much like 'Kantara' in India, is a noteworthy attempt at culturally-sensitive, grounded storytelling.- Ends
India Today
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Chief of War review: Emotionally enriching and raw storytelling on war, destruction
'Chief of War', created by Thomas Paa Sibbett and Jason Mamoa, depicts the conflict of power between four major clans in the Hawaiian Islands. Innocent lives are at stake in the power play and bloodshed between the kingdoms of Hawaii (The Big Island), Maui, Oahu and Kauai. Kaiana, the war chief of Kauai (Mamoa), battles internal and external enemies in his quest for justice and peace. Kauai as a warrior who sets aside his rage and strength to avoid the killing of innocent lives, puts himself and his family at of War' makes a strong statement about what a just leader or a rebel goes through while defying dictatorship and warmongering. In a world obsessed with hate and destruction, Kaiana is the beacon of hope who symbolises resilience against dictatorship. The Apple TV+ series keeps you engaged with its breathtaking visuals, visceral background music (BGM), soulful performances and emotionally enriching story.'Chief of War', in its very beginning, introduces you to the devastating and heart-wrenching impact of violence and greed on human consciousness. Not just the innocent victims, but the vulnerable humans on the opposing sides also die a million deaths internally. Sibbett and Mamoa have crafted a show that hits you hard. It is not just the gory fights but the mental psyche of a morally conflicted warrior that resonates with the viewers. Mamoa has hit the bull's eye in emoting the fears, guilt, frustration and rebellion of a valiant war chief. While there have been other shows that made commentary on wars through subtle nuances, 'Chief of War' has an edge in terms of its universal theme. Be it a border dispute between nations, sending soldiers to war zones, bombing innocents or killing civilians, all these stories remain interconnected. The 18th century drama-series reminds you how often the leaders in control change sides and send the military to disputed areas just to suit the political narrative. Quite similar to Uncle Sam and the colonial government which made soldiers fight wars that weren't even angst and defiance towards a ruthless king who is a threat to humanity is metaphorical of every law-abiding individual who despises crime and injustice. Sibbett and Mamoa do not exercise restraint in narrating a story about a peace-loving warrior who refuses to bow down against the powers that be. A man capable of destroying his adversaries is also shown in his compassionate and vulnerable state. The raw emotions of a warrior clan are emotionally resonant to a larger audience base, not just indigenous just Mamoa, but the supporting cast has also done an equally commendable job of maintaining the pace of the show. Luciane Buchanan as Kaahumanu, Te Ao o Hinepehinga as Kupuohi, Te Kohe Tuhaka as Namake, Brandon Finn as Prince Kpule, Moses Goods as Moku and Benjamin Hoetjes as John Young have done their beyond the storytelling and acting prowess of a talented ensemble, it is imperative to acknowledge the technical aspects of 'Chief of War'. One gets a glimpse of the intent behind the show, while paying attention to the BGM. The Oscar-winning Hans Zimmer, alongside James Everingham, amicably captures the serenity of the Hawaiian Islands amid the power tussle. Zimmer and Everingham's ability to bring authenticity to period dramas makes one more eager about their future projects. To all those curious about how Zimmer's collaboration with AR Rahman might shape up, they can experience his potential and brilliance in 'Chief of War'.Watch the trailer here: The background score of the epic drama show is not just their effects, but is a crucial element in the storytelling. The overwhelming threats and obstacles in the lives of the Kauai clan are explored through Zimmer, Everingham's soul-stirring the story is not anything new, the series never loses its momentum due to its visually striking cinematic appeal and grounded performances. Justin Chon's direction, especially for episodes one and two, is spot-on. The actors are equally in sync with his vision, which makes the series a compelling Chuang and Michael Snyman's cinematography is another aspect that keeps the viewer glued to the screen. Never at a point did the whole 18th century setup ever look fake. All the departments gave it their all with the utmost sincerity and Yoshikawa, Yael Hersonski, Aaron Marshall. Stephen Philipson, Marc Roussel, Marta Evry and Ron Rosen as editors, gave it their best in creating a show that doesn't lose its soul even after some relevant cuts.'Chief of War' acts as a prism to reflect on the repercussions of war. Apart from the physical damage, the show is an honest attempt at depicting the emotional scars of a war. A must-watch show to witness Aquaman Mamoa in the performance of a lifetime.'Chief of War' is available for streaming on Apple TV+.- Ends4 out of 5 starsMust Watch
